Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium facts for kids
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| Established | 1972 |
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| Location | 1601 E University Blvd Tucson, Arizona |
| Type | Science museum |
| Owner | University of Arizona |
The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is an exciting place to explore science in Tucson, Arizona. It is both a science museum and a planetarium. This center is part of the University of Arizona. It was named after a writer named Grace Flandrau.
Inside, you'll find the Eos Planetarium Theater. This theater has a huge dome that is 15.2 meters (about 50 feet) wide. It can seat 146 people. The science center also has many exhibits. These exhibits teach you about Earth and space sciences. A small planet, 18368 Flandrau, is even named after this amazing center!
Discovering Flandrau's History
How the Center Started
The Flandrau Science Center began thanks to a gift. This gift came from the money left by the American author Grace Flandrau. The university leaders, called the Board of Regents, approved creating the center in 1972. The doors first opened to the public in 1975. O. Richard Norton was the first director of the center.
Planetarium Upgrades
The planetarium first used a special machine called a star projector. People nicknamed it the "Hector Vector Star Projector." This machine showed stars and planets on the dome. Over time, newer and better technology became available. The old star projector was replaced. In 2017, the planetarium finished its big updates. It reopened with a new name: the "Eos Foundation Planetarium Theater."
More to Explore
- List of planetariums
